Their first touch was soft and tentative. Her small lips quivered against his, coming forward only briefly before pulling back. She was like a kitten testing the surface of an unknown body of water.

He pressed ahead, capturing her mouth once more, not wanting her to leave. The night was warm but the temperature between them was rising steadily. Affection was shared between their lips and their bodies. Their breaths mixed together as they both came up for air.

He held her tightly but she wasn’t going anywhere in the first place. She snuggled against him and let out a breathy laugh. It was one filled with contentment as if she had found the most comfortable place to be. In this jungle of the New World, she was the only person he could rely on. It was lucky for him that she would have it no other way.

They met again and this time, their kisses became even more heated. Two people, each with their own thoughts, were remarkably aligned in that moment. Both were seeking solace against the unknown, seeking comfort in the Old World and a past that happened to intertwine.

At some point or another, Katherine had changed position. She pushed him down on his back and straddled his waist. She leaned down and devoured his lips. Her hands clutched at his bare chest, his shoulders. Her fingers ran their way through his long hair and then moved to caress his face.

He felt like he was slowly drowning. His thoughts became fuzzy as he lost himself in the moment. He cast away all other worries and focused solely on her.

He called her name. His voice was husky and filled with desire. “Katherine…”

She stopped nibbling his neck and looked up, “Mmm?”

She was so lovely. Messy brown hair framed a small face. Her green eyes sparkled in the night as they peered into his. Her freshly kissed lips were red and glistening.

His hands moved downward and she didn’t resist. Two worn-out pieces of clothing separated them and those were quickly removed. She raised her hips, letting his arousal gently touch hers.

He groaned.

She purred.

His fingers groped her naked thighs, slightly trembling in anticipation. Her hands rested against his shoulder and chest, her nails gently scraping against his skin.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, their bodies connected. He plunged inside her, delving into heat and ecstasy, savoring this temporary connection of the soul.

---

Zachary barely slept that night. He kept watch even as Kathrine slept like a dead cat all the way to the morning. He didn’t blame her, not after the things they had done.

He gained some mental clarity after the fact and considered what she meant to him. He decided that it did change some things but not everything. He did not love her after one night and he didn’t think he would ever love her.

His heart was hurt too badly by the incident and there was no chance for it to heal so soon. The person who betrayed him was his first love. And up until six months ago, he had thought that she would be his one and only. He was so sure he was going to marry her only for it all to be a lie. He wondered if her feelings for him back then had all been fake as well.

The lazy cat in his arms finally stirred, bringing him back.

Katherine yawned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She stretched as best she could in his arms. He smiled and let go. She gave him an appreciative kiss before getting up.

She let Marble out and climbed down. He followed, retrieving Boba and bringing out a fresh and rested Hammer. Together, they went into the river, staying in the shallows. Zachary and Katherine washed themselves and their clothes. Hammer happily stood guard, sending out a stream of white foam from its mouth.

Afterward, they reconvened on the riverbank, sitting together on a piece of driftwood.

“So, what now?” Katherine asked.

“What do you mean?” Zachary replied.

She laughed, “Zach, we already slept together, why are you so nervous?”

“I’m not.” He protested but it wasn’t convincing.

“Relax, the Ice Saint Cult also knew about you and your relationship with that person.”

He spluttered, unable to find the right words. Did everyone know about his personal matters?

Katherine looked up at him, “I told you everything because I want to help you. And that I hope you can trust me.”

Zachary gave her an affectionate nudge, “Thanks. I do. We’re a team now. You and me, we’ll make it.”

She smiled, “A team? I supposed a survival team better than calling it a situationship or friends with benefits.”

He snorted with laughter, “We can be those things too.”

She joined him.

Their laughter rang brightly in the morning air. The jungle and the rushing river nearby swallowed their voices, but not before a small flock of birds took flight in response.

They both quieted and examined their surroundings, returning to reality from their light-hearted moment.

“So, what now?” Katherine asked again, this time with complete seriousness, “When can we cross the river?”

“Hmm…” Zachary tapped his chin and considered the question.

He knew that they could not remain in their current position forever. The chance of encountering powerful Ensouled was always there but the risk of another survival team arriving rose with each day. The Ensouled they could catch in one location was also limited. It was best to keep moving. They had to keep heading deeper into the jungle.

“One more Ensouled.” He decided. “We should try to catch another Ensouled on the level of Hammer to be safe.”

“Alright. Let’s get to work.”